TY - JOUR T1 - How to Reduce Head CT Orders in Children with Hydrocephalus Using the Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Experience at a Major Quaternary Care Academic Children's Center JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology JO - Am. J. Neuroradiol. SP - 990 LP - 996 DO - 10.3174/ajnr.A4658 VL - 37 IS - 6 AU - A. Tekes AU - E.M. Jackson AU - J. Ogborn AU - S. Liang AU - M. Bledsoe AU - D.J. Durand AU - G. Jallo AU - T.A.G.M. Huisman Y1 - 2016/06/01 UR - http://www.ajnr.org/content/37/6/990.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lean Six Sigma methodology is increasingly used to drive improvement in patient safety, quality of care, and cost-effectiveness throughout the US health care delivery system. To demonstrate our value as specialists, radiologists can combine lean methodologies along with imaging expertise to optimize imaging elements-of-care pathways. In this article, we describe a Lean Six Sigma project with the goal of reducing the relative use of pediatric head CTs in our population of patients with hydrocephalus by 50% within 6 months.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied a Lean Six Sigma methodology using a multidisciplinary team at a quaternary care academic children's center. The existing baseline imaging practice for hydrocephalus was outlined in a Kaizen session, and potential interventions were discussed. An improved radiation-free workflow with ultrafast MR imaging was created. Baseline data were collected for 3 months by using the departmental radiology information system. Data collection continued postintervention and during the control phase (each for 3 months). The percentage of neuroimaging per technique (head CT, head ultrasound, ultrafast brain MR imaging, and routine brain MR imaging) was recorded during each phase.RESULTS: The improved workflow resulted in a 75% relative reduction in the percentage of hydrocephalus imaging performed by CT between the pre- and postintervention/control phases (Z-test, P = .0001).CONCLUSIONS: Our lean interventions in the pediatric hydrocephalus care pathway resulted in a significant reduction in head CT orders and increased use of ultrafast brain MR imaging.DMAICDefine, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and ControlLSSLean Six SigmaPEDpediatric emergency departmentUF-MRIultrafast brain MRIUSultrasonography ER -